Consumer TechConsumer technology is going to exist indefinitely, perhaps for as long as the human species exists. At CleanTechnica, we try to feature consumer technologies that help to reduce global warming pollution and other types of pollution. For example: electric cars, solar panels, bikes, energy efficient appliances and electronics, and green smartphone apps. Keep an eye on this category for all sorts of fun and cool, helpful consumer technology.

I wish we had time to write up endorsements for each race in the US. But, of course, that would have been impossible and impractical, especially given our focus on cleantech. However, before all is said and done, I wanted to make sure to get three endorsements for Senate published here on CleanTechnica. These three endorsements are for some of the most cleantech-awesome politicians I’m aware of, the type of people I wish would fill Congress someday.

Longer pieces on each of these candidates can be read via the links on the subheadings below. For CleanTechnica, I’m just excerpting specific points related to our focus.

Chris Murphy is about as green as it gets, if I’m not illiterate or confused. He states:

“Renewable energy is the next big global industry, and we must work now to ensure those jobs stay in the U.S.”

“I support a national standard to drive development of renewable power technologies like wind, solar, fuel cells, and alternative fuels – a policy Connecticut and dozens of other states have already passed on their own.”

“Northeastern states like Connecticut have already done important work on their own to limit greenhouse gas emissions, but they need a reliable partner at the federal level to help drive investments in clean, renewable technologies. Embracing new, alternative sources of energy not only means goods things for our air and our ecosystems, it means jobs: cutting-edge jobs in the high-tech manufacturing fields that our state has always excelled in.”

“I’ve also fought hard for landmark climate change legislation that will drive private sector investment in the clean energy systems of the future.”

“In Congress, I’ve also been a leader in the fight against global warming. The facts are clear, and those who refuse to acknowledge the reality of man-made climate change are not only failing to protect our environment, they’re waging a war on science itself.”

“Decades from now, I know that our environment will be viewed as one of the defining questions of our time. At the moment of crisis, were we willing to confront the challenges facing our natural world? Were we willing to protect the lands that provide our drinking water and grow our food? Were we willing to keep the air we breathe healthy and clean? We were able to enact the policies necessary unshackle us from the yoke of polluting, dirty energy? Or did we yield to the skeptics and the naysayers when their voices grew loudest and shrillest?”

If you live in Connecticut, vote for Chris Murphy and get your friends and family members to do the same! Seriously.

Again, for more on Chris’ take on other matters, check out the links above.

Sherrod Brown is another true cleantech champion, as I think the points below will show. Again, these are just a handful of key quotes from the links above:

“Sherrod has long recognized that a smart energy policy is also smart jobs policy and that Ohio is leading the nation. According to a report released by the Council of State Governments, Ohio led the country in the number of clean energy jobs created by the Recovery Act during the first reporting period.”

“Sherrod is a leading voice in Congress for policies [that] help manufacturers retool and expand their operations into clean energy production. He has consistently fought for tax credits to help Ohio’s manufacturers, which have created hundreds of jobs in Ohio, more than almost any other state.”

“Sherrod also introduced legislation that would create a revolving loan fund to help auto suppliers and other small and mid-sized manufacturers improve their long-term competitiveness and retool for the clean energy economy. This legislation, known as the IMPACT Act, has been endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers as well as thousands of small and medium businesses who recognize the opportunities of a clean energy economy. An estimated 52,000 jobs could be created in Ohio under Brown’s bill.”

Notably, Sherrod is the first Democrat The Columbus Dispatch has endorsed for Senate in 30 years!

“Right now, renewable energy competes with old energies that get lots of special breaks from Washington. We know that we can generate power with alternative energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower. We also know that we can make energy usage far more efficient. If we commit ourselves to clean energy and energy efficiency now, in the long run we can reduce price swings and lower our overall costs.”

“Washington is going in the wrong direction. It hands out massive tax breaks to energy companies that are among the most profitable corporations in the world, while people in Massachusetts and across the country pay the price…. The choice before us is simple. Will we continue to subsidize the dirty fossil fuels of the past, or will we transition to 21st century clean, renewable energy?”

“As long as we subsidize dirty sources like oil, gas, and coal, we threaten the air we breathe and the water we drink. In Massachusetts, 1 in 10 people have asthma. Pollution is a serious public health challenge – and our children’s well-being is at risk…. So long as we rely on oil and gas, we also threaten our national security. Reliance on oil and gas puts us at the mercy of OPEC. We are more likely to prop up foreign dictators or become entangled in wars that are about our energy needs rather than our long-term, strategic interests. And when we do wage war, we put our servicemen and women at risk: about 80% of convoys in Afghanistan are associated with fuel delivery, and there were 1,100 attacks on these convoys in 2010 alone.”

“Carbon-heavy fuels also intensify the risks of climate change. The science is unmistakable: Earth’s climate is changing and human activities are contributing to climate change. Climate change endangers our health and national security, it threatens agricultural production and the availability of clean water, and it risks floods and droughts.”

Warren looks like an obvious choice for Senate. And for the reasons above and many, many more, she has good odds of winning). Help get the word out and help get her elected by sharing this post or the pages linked above… or by campaigning for her in other ways.

I hope this post is useful to some of you. Feel free to chime in with thoughts, endorsements, or links of your own.

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media.
You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

Wind Energy

Search the IM Network

The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.